Shipping Cost Calculator
Estimate package shipping cost from actual weight, dimensional weight, carrier rate, base charge, surcharge, extra fees and package quantity.
Calculator workspace
Enter your own values and review the method shown with the result.
Generic shipping math for USPS, UPS, FedEx and other carrier quotes
This is not an official carrier rate engine. Instead, it helps you estimate shipping with the rates, surcharges and dimensional-weight divisor from the service you are considering. That is useful because carrier prices can depend on zone, service level, package class, account discounts and changing fuel or handling charges.
For final postage or freight purchasing, compare the estimate with the carrier’s current quote. The calculator is most useful for quick budgeting and comparing scenarios before you buy a label.
How to use this calculator
- Enter actual package weight and dimensions.
- Use the dimensional-weight divisor from the carrier or service.
- Enter the base charge and per-weight rate from your quote or rate sheet.
- Add surcharge and extra handling/insurance fees.
- Calculate billable weight, cost per package and total cost.
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official USPS, UPS or FedEx calculator?
No. It is a generic estimator that uses the rates and divisor you enter.
What is billable weight?
Many services charge using the greater of actual weight and dimensional weight.
Why can my carrier quote differ?
Zones, service levels, account discounts, minimum charges, fuel surcharges and special handling can change the final price.
Understand billable weight and package charges
Actual weight is the package's measured mass. Dimensional weight is an estimate derived from its length, width and height divided by the entered divisor. The tool compares the two and uses the larger modeled weight as the chargeable quantity. This is why a light, bulky box can cost more than its scale weight suggests.
A package example
A 12 × 10 × 8 inch box has 960 cubic inches of volume. With a divisor of 139, its calculated dimensional weight is about 6.91 pounds. That exceeds an actual weight of 5 pounds. The estimate then applies the entered base charge, rate per weight unit, surcharge and extra fees to that billable quantity.
Keep the divisor and measurement system aligned
A divisor intended for inches and pounds cannot be applied unchanged to dimensions measured in centimeters. Select the measurement system first, then enter the divisor for the service you are comparing. Use the outside dimensions of the packed box, including packaging.
The package-count field repeats the same modeled package. For boxes of different sizes or weights, calculate each type separately and add their totals. Carrier-specific rounding, delivery zones, service minimums and account discounts may change the final quote. Use your current carrier rate information for the input assumptions, then compare the result with the quote before purchasing a label.